Hey guys. My name is Jenny Harrison and I’m also in the group. I figured I’d create a page where we can get started on the work. We first need to decide which grade we are going to be doing. Personally, I am fine with any elementary grade but I put 2nd or 3rd on the sign up sheet if that helps. Then we need to get started on the first phase, which is how we are going to create the most positive classroom culture for our students, based on Piaget, Vygotsky, and Bandura.
We can use this page to determine the grade level and put any info that relates to the first phase.
----My opinion: To start, we know that the students are very bored and lack direction because there was none from the previous teacher. We also know that from this there is chaos in the room. I feel like with this type of classroom, we would have to try to start over with the students on almost all levels. I think we would have to establish our position as the teacher, establish new rules and create a curriculum that actually involved in the students in learning. We know Vygotsky came up with scaffolding and according to his research, the student’s will learn more by the teacher facilitating and helping them. I believe this should be incorporated in the future lessons. Bandura created the Social Learning Theory where all people (and students) learn from the behaviors of other people. So this classroom had been observing the lack of instruction and chaos developed by the previous teacher and their classmates. We would have to basically do the opposite and display a stable classroom with instruction and attention. Do you guys agree? Do you think we should try these things, does anyone have suggestions on how to follow through with them?

...I like everything you are saying! The students definitley need direction and structure. I also think to start, Dr. Murray's example of the poster boards is a great idea. It's a great introduction and by doing this, We get to know and understand our students and they get to know us, and recongnize that we are there to stay for the remainer of the year. Also, because there has been such a lack of structure, it would be important to do some sort of assessment to see where they students are at in their studies that way we can start where they are comfortatable and then expand upon it. (scaffolding)

I wrote down 2nd grade.. Would that grade be ok with everyone?? Where do we start working on the actual assignment? Do we create a new page or write on the home page?

I like all of these ideas too. Another aspect should the students should not only work with their teachers but also with their peers. -Lindsey Houlberg

Hey everyone! I'm starting to worry that we are falling behind... So my idea is that each one of us will take the lead on a weeks assignment. I will do week 4 (last week). I will create a page and complete the whole assignment and then everyone can review and edit it. Who wants to take the lead of this weeks work (week 5)?

That sounds good. I'll take the lead for this weeks work and will post what I have tomorrow. - Jenny

I agree with all of the ideas that were mentioned for this week's assignment. I also like the idea of one person taking the lead on a week's assignment, while the other group members just review and edit it. I will take the lead for the work for week 6. -LaKisha

This sounds great. I'll take the lead for week 7. - Lindsey

Hey guys! I was just wondering are we still taking on each works individually and then posting it for the rest of the team to edit? -Lindsey

I was under that impression. I created a lesson plan for week 5 and placed it in the discussion section of the home page for everyone to look over and add comments. But I don't know about week 4 or week 6. - Jenny

I thought we were too but no one posted their work on a new page, so we would be able to do that. I'm taking the lead for week 6 (this week) though, so I'll post my work on a new page so everyone can help edit it. I'll start working on that assignment either today (Tues.) or tomorrow. -LaKisha

Hey guys! I am taking the lead for week 4, I'm sorry I haven't posted it yet, It will be up by the end of friday, this week! I did not see the lesson plan for week 5 under the discussions??

Hey guys, I posted a rough draft for week 7. Let me know what you think!

Hey guys, so we have to post our classroom culture in the discussions area. This just involves making rules and procedure in the classroom correct? I'm gonna post a few ideas and we can all just add on to it so we can post it in the discussions.